Carnival’s Mardi Gras to get first roller coaster on a cruise ship
When docking near the theme park capital of the world, it’s no wonder Carnival’s new ship Mardi Gras will bring some competition with the first roller coaster at sea.
Carnival Cruise Line announced the Port Canaveralbound ship slated to arrive in 2020 will sport a roller coaster called Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster that will be nearly 800 feet long and reach speeds near 40 mph.
“We are so thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind, game-changing, exhilarating attraction,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy in a news release. “Our guests are going to love it.”
German designer Maurer Rides will bring its unique design to the cruise line featuring electric-powered carts that have riders seated in motorcycle-like vehicles.
That includes the option for a punched-up launch, as riders choose the speed with which they tackle the course.
Maurer Rides calls its design the Spike Coaster, which doesn’t rely on kinetic energy and gravity, but instead has traction on 100 percent of the track. That means acceleration can happen on every point of the track, even parts going uphill.
The design includes the interactive elements of a throttle grip and boost button. It was awarded Best New Product in 2017 at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo in Orlando.
The track will take riders on a twisty path that circles the iconic red ship funnel. Each car seats two riders, and the track will feature two cars, although only one running at a time.
Speeds will be posted after completing the ride, and just like at the theme parks, cruisers will get the opportunity to purchase a photo taken during the ride.
In essence, this ride takes up the space of the SkyRide attraction that can be found on the cruise line’s Vista-class ships, utilizing space above the top deck for an open-air feature. Except now, instead of the self-powered, suspended bicycle, cruisers can just ride along, albeit at high speeds, 187 feet above sea level.
The mechanics of the SkyRide have proved difficult for the cruise line, with delays for when salt buildup messes with the track, and the ability to only handle two riders at a time for what can take more than three minutes to get around the track. With Mardi Gras’ Bolt roller coaster, the turnaround should be a lot higher.
Mardi Gras will be the largest ship ever built for Carnival at 180,000 gross-tons, 1,130 feet long and a 6,500-passenger capacity. The ship’s first steel was cut in mid-November at the at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.
It will park at a renovated Terminal 3 at Port Canaveral when it debuts in 2020.